NYC Shelter History continued…
The following is a chronological history of how New York City has cared for (or ignored) its homeless pet population over the years.
2010
February: Without explanation, Dr. Stephanie Janezcko steps down as the ACC’s Medical Director, but stays on for a few months more as Operations Directors. (The position of Medical Directors remains vacant until January 2014.)
March: The DOH selects Julie Bank as the latest ACC Executive Director (the 8th ED in Bloomberg’s administration). While at first glance Ms. Bank’s resume appears to be excellent, closer examination reveals a lackluster record serving as a shelter executive in Arizona and California.
June: Ms. Bank closes ACC doors to new volunteers explaining that this will allow her Volunteer Coordinator (a person heartily disliked by many experienced volunteers) to “revamp” the ACC volunteer program. (The program does not re-open until 6 months later.)
Bank eliminates more key services in response to continuing budget cuts by the DOH.
The City and the DOH file their appeal papers from the decision in the SFTH lawsuit.
2011
February: The ASPCA asks Assembly member Amy Paulin to sponsor a competing bill to “Oreo’s Law,” a bill the ASPCA and the Mayor’s Alliance drafted with input from kill shelters.
April: Assembly member Micah Kellner withdraws his “Oreo’s Law” bill and resubmits it under a new name -- “Companion Animal Access and Rescue Act” (CAARA) bill. ASPCA works to stall CAARA in the Agriculture Committee while Assembly member Amy Paulin sponsors a competing bill that the ASPCA has drafted. Read more about the two bills.
A mid-level appeals court reverses the trial judge’s decision in the SFTH lawsuit. The appeals panel rules that a rescue group lacks “standing” to sue the DOH for violating the law requiring animal shelters in the Bronx and Queens. SFTH seeks permission from NYS’s highest court to appeal from that decision.
July: The Alliance and the ASPCA announce a deal they secretly negotiated with City Council Speaker Christine Quinn. The deal would eliminate the DOH’s longstanding legal obligation to build animal shelters in the Bronx and Queens. In exchange, the DOH would “promise” but not guarantee, to give the ACC extra monies ending with at least $12 million by fiscal year 2014. NYC’s Comptroller Liu releases his office’s most recent “audit” of ACC operations. Liu gives the ACC a passing grade even while noting pervasive lies and stonewalling by both the ACC and the DOH.
August: The NY Court of Appeals grants SFTH’s request to appeal from decision ruling that a rescue group may not sue the City for violating the shelters law. If SFTH succeeds on appeal, the City will be forced to build shelters in the Bronx and Queens.
September: The ASPCA, Mayor's Alliance and Speaker Christine Quinn fast-track the bill through the council and Mayor Bloomberg signs it into law (Local law 59). In support of the law, an ASPCA representative testifies that the ACC has "an almost 100% infection rate."
2012
January: Using extra funding from the DOH, the ACC begins to rehire and expand staffing.
February: ASPCA works with Assemblymember Paulin to get the bogus “reform” bill passed by the Assembly’s Agriculture Committee.
March: The DOH declines to hire a proven leader in shelter reform. Instead, the DOH renews Julie Bank’s contract for another two years. The DOH fails to meet the March 1 deadline set by Local Law 59 for publication of rules for Trap/Neuter/Return rescue groups.
May: ASPCA engineers CAARA’s defeat in the Agriculture committee. Assemblymember Kellner explains the difference between his bill and the ASPCA bogus bill. But the ASPCA’s tactics backfire and legislators begin to distance themselves from the ASPCA bill.
Assembly Member Paulin withdraws the bill, while promising to meet with opponents to hear their suggestions.
September: Julie Bank resigns citing "family reasons." ACC General Counsel Risa Weinstock once again is tapped to serve "interim" Executive Director. Suddenly the overflow cages at the ACC disappear.. for a few weeks.
2013
January: Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer publishes a scathing report entitled "Led Astray: Reforming NYC's Animal Care & Control," calling for a full restructuring of the ACC and freeing it from City control. The DOH asks to reduce the ACC's 2012 budget by $800,000 citing ACC efficiencies and "underspending." The January 2013 ACC Board meeting offers one surprise: the election of the first non-government director as ACC Chairman. But the change is form without substance.
March: Even with extra DOH funding, the ACC fails to provide basic medical care to its animals.
April: The ACC and the Mayor's Alliance continue to manipulate labels and numbers to claim that the ACC is "on track to no-kill" by 2015. The DOH continues to stiff the Bronx and Queens as regards animal services. The City Council Health Committee holds hearing on claimed "progress" under Local Law 59.
May: NYClass holds the first-ever Mayoral Candidates Forum on Animal Protection issues. One notable absentee is City Council Speaker Christine Quinn.
June: The City Council Health Committee holds hearing to discuss, inter alia, strategies to increase "live outcomes" at the ACC. Interim ACC Executive Director Risa Weinstock and Deputy Health Commissioner Daniel Kass describe a thriving ACC. One week later, Weinstock sheds "interim" title when tapped to be the ACC Executive Director. At the June ACC Board Meeting, Weinstock regales Board with a list of claimed achievements under her leadership. ACC launches its first-ever Adoptions Program. Ed Sayres exits ASPCA, leaving a mixed legacy vis-a-vis the ACC. (Within 2 years he accepts the well-paid position as President of PIJAC, the lobbying arm of the Pet Industry ... which includes among its members notorious puppy mills.)
July: Without any fanfare, the ACC website reflects that the ACC has a new non-government director to fill a seat vacant for almost 1-1/2 years. The new director is Brooklyn private veterinarian Howard Hollander. Queens City Councilmember Peter Vallone, Jr. introduces a bill which would require full service shelters in the Bronx and Queens.
November: New Yorkers elect Bill deBlasio to be the next Mayor. While campaigning, deBlasio pledged to reform the ACC based on the outline set by then Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer.
2014
January: The ACC hires a new Medical Director after keeping that position empty for 3 years. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signs into law a new "Pet Dealers" bill sponsored by Assembly member Linda Rosenthal allowing local communities (like NYC) to enact their own regulations of pet shops despite stiff opposition from PIJAC. Still, PIJAC was able to secure one concession: a provision that would bar banning the sale of "all" large volume breeder (i.e., puppy mill) animals.
The ASPCA formally relinquishes responsibility for Humane Law Enforcement in New York City and NYPD takes over. The ASPCA warned months before why this handover was necessary: the ASPCA didn't have the resources to investigate the thousands of reported instances of animal. By training a special group of NYPD officers to be in charge would be preferable. The ASPCA continues to provide forensic assistance to establish cruelty as well as providing care for animals requiring special medical intervention.
April: Under its new Chairman Corey Johnson, the City Council Health Committee holds a hearing on proposed legislation to regulate NYC pet shops. The DOH expresses its eagerness to have more funding to enlarge its staff to be in charge of overseeing pet shops. SRAC denounces the DOH as a dreadful choice to be responsible for ensuring the welfare of any animal. Assemblymember Rosenthal testifies and clarifies that even if new regulations bar all but 1% of puppy mill animals, that would pass muster under the new law. PIJAC and pet shop representatives claim that animals from volume breeders are happy and well cared for and regulations are unnecessary. The Committee promises to review the draft and make changes.
ACC April Board Meeting offers no surprises. While Management continue to present upbeat reports on progress inside the shelter walls, a news report discloses the contents of a November 2013 private memorandum from The Mayor's Alliance and the ASPCA to then Mayor-Elect deBlasio slamming ACC "inadequate funding and irresponsible management."
June: At the June Board Meeting Executive Director Risa Weinstock signals that the ACC will declare itself "no kill" in 2015.
Despite warnings by the Humane Society of New York, the DOH blindsides Albany legislators by fashioning an amendment to state law specifically naming the DOH as being in charge of the ACC. The amendment was advertised as simply one to allow New York City to set its own dog licensing fees.
September: Despite all the feel-good news presented by ACC management at its September board meeting, storm clouds were sighted. Intake numbers continue to rise. The ACC faces a "monster" version of Canine Influenza. A Brooklyn shelter volunteer tells the board how that shelter is a "disaster." Unfortunately, only 5 members of the 9 member board were present to hear the news and Executive Director Risa Weinstock told the volunteer that a board meeting wasn't the proper forum to bring up his concerns.
2013
[October: ACC celebrates groundbreaking for replacement shelter on Staten Island.]
2015
[July: NYPD’s Animal Cruelty Investigation Squad (ACIS) takes over from ASPCA responsibility for investigating animal cruelty and arresting offenders. See link.]
2016
January: The DOH continues its failing performance to secure compliance with dog licensing. NYC’s new Pet Shop Law goes into effect, but it is toothless due to State law. At ACC’s Annual Board Meeting, the DOH promises major capital projects for ACC. ACC creates a “Community Dogs Program” for the Bronx.
ACC announces “record-breaking” Live Release Rates (LRR) for dogs and cats. A rescuer challenges the LRR because it doesn’t take into account the number of sick ACC animals that die shortly after being transferred to a rescuer. Also, rescuers complain they are drowning in vet bills for ACC animals.
ACC is challenged on using its “At Risk List” as a marketing tool to get animals placed.
April: ACC creates an ACC/Rescuer Task Force whose purpose is to identify problems and offer solutions. One problem identified by a rescue group is the failure of ACC rescuers to follow individual states’ laws requiring a Health Certificate (a clean bill of health) to transport animals across state lines.
Rescuers urge ACC never to place an animal on the At Risk List without a proper photo to generate interest in pulling the animal.
ACC Medical Director Dr. Lisa Levin resigns. Also, a doggy day spa in NYC reports a case of H3N2 among several dogs. Positive news in April is that Mayor de Blasio has hired a firm to identify possible sites for the Bronx and Queens shelters and an additional $10 million to the budgeted monies to move the shelter projects along.
NYClass prematurely celebrates shelters for the Bronx and Queens.
2017
June: Without public disclosure, ACC adopts the “Community Cat Pathway” (CCP) program which involves keeping stray cats (both friendly and feral) on the streets. ACC doesn’t disclose this until its January 2018 Board Meeting.
August: NYS enacts law prohibiting pet dealers from passing themselves off as rescuers.
December: DOH finally proposes new regulations for the Pet Shop Law.
2018
January: Mayor de Blasio announces a proposed site for Bronx Shelter. ACC reports the highest Live Release Rate ever. City releases new status report on the Capital Projects. ACC describes their new Shelter/Neuter/Return program for stray cats. ACC’s SNR is part of its CCP program for stray cats. ACC claims that Neighborhood Cats, a TNR advocacy group, is an ACC New Hope partner. ACC places CCP cats with Neighborhood Cats, and has not idea how many cats NC returns to the streets. (In 2028, ACC confesses that it places these cats back on the streets as an “agent” for NC.) ACC explains that the TNR advocacy group Neighborhood Cats created a CCP protocol. ACC Board welcomes ACC volunteer David Glicksman to the board.
May: The proposed Bronx shelter site faces procedural hurdles for approval. Also, a developer eyes the same site.
November: The City Council approves the Bronx site after behind the scenes horse trading with Bronx pol Andy King.
2019
January: ACC and DOH announce a 34-year services contract that provides funding for ACC to buy a site, build, and operate a new shelter in Queens. It will be the first shelter ACC itself will own, rather than the City. ACC announces it has abandoned the oft-criticized S.A.F.E.R. behavior testing for dogs. A rescuer asks ACC to investigate rescue groups that place animals in long term boarding.
February: The Animal Defense League Fund (ALDF) urges New York to move animal cruelty to the criminal statute laws rather than keeping it under the Ags&Mkt state law; ALDF offers up a “Bella’s Law” for consideration.
June: ACC reports that adoptions are up and transfers to rescue groups are lower. ACC institutes a “Borough Break” program: allowing members of the public to take adoptable dogs out for walks or overnight stays. ASPCA announces it will open three low-cost vet clinics to help underserved populations. The City Council Health Committee and the full Council hold hearings on a slew of animal welfare bills. One is to create a Department of Animal Welfare, something that SRAC advocated years ago through a petition.
September: ACC hosts an expert on “Community Cat Program” which consists of returning cats to the streets after they’ve been spayed/neutered and ear tipped.
October: the proposed creation of a Department of Animal Welfare is watered down to an “Office of Animal Welfare,” a fancy name for the existing “Mayor’s Liaison for Animal Welfare.” Several other non-ACC animal welfare bills are signed into law.
2020
January: ACC reports on a variety of new programs. An outside analysis of ACC owner- requested euthanasia statistics raises concerns. ACC announces it has identified a site for its Queens shelter.
March: When COVID-19 shuts down NYC, ACC closes to the public its three shelters and Bronx Receiving Center. It puts out a plea for fosters.
June: ACC welcomes back volunteers to shelters, but not enough return.
ACC holds its first live-streamed Board Meeting. ACC finalizes its FY2021 budget, based on the assumption that DOH will give it a $3 million supplement. All DOH promised capital improvements for ACC are halted indefinitely. Construction of Queens shelter (which ACC to own) continues.
July: DOH does not give ACC a $3 million supplement throwing ACC finances into disarray.
September: Comptroller Scott Stringer issues his second audit of ACC operations, revealing breakdowns.
October: The New York Post publishes a searing exposé on the Brooklyn shelter. SRAC publishes our interview of Will Zweigart, founder and executive director of an innovative TNR group called Flatbush Cats.
November: Brooklyn pol decries squalid conditions at Brooklyn shelter. ACC evacuates animals from its Staten Island shelter due to “temperature control” issues.
December: Without fanfare, ASPCA gives ACC a grant of $1.2 million in response to ACC’s deteriorating financial condition. NYPost publishes another exposé on conditions at Brooklyn shelter.
2021
January: ACC holds its Annual Board Meeting, and it is live-streamed. ACC lays out the causes of its funding crisis, including having assumed the DOH would give it a $3 million supplement.
February: ACC closes its Manhattan shelter for at least two weeks after 3 staff members are diagnosed with COVID-19.